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New Bows & Gear for 2015

Hoyt Charger Review

Hoyt is well-known for producing some of the world’s top bows year after year. Recent hits include the innovative Carbon line, Spyder Series, Vector, CRX, Maxxis and the one you still hear bowhunters talk about today, the AlphaMax.

What you may not know is that the same company with this impressive string of top-end stars also offers one of the best “bang for your buck” bows on the market—the Charger.

Instant Recognition
If you have been bowhunting a while then you are well aware of the instant brand recognition afforded Hoyt through the TEC (Total Engineering Concept) riser design. The Charger is outfitted with the company’s LITE version of the TEC family, which incorporates an open format with large cutouts and a network of recessed cross bridging. The truss in this design acts as a shock absorber as it channels shot vibration away from the shooter’s hand.

Hoyt’s Charger is compatible with the Pro-Fit Grip system, which includes four grip styles that share a common mounting platform. Other riser features include a Stealth Shot string suppression system and stainless steel stabilizer mount.

Speeding Permitted
You will not pay a heavy price for speed with the Charger, as it produces advertised ATA/IBO speeds reaching 325 fps. The muscle behind the performance is Hoyt’s Charger Cam & ½, which is a hybrid cam system. This means it uses two elliptical shaped cams, a control cable, a split harness power cable and an evenly placed string. The Charger Cam & ½ was designed with a forgiving valley so the archer can relax into the shot—no surprise takeoffs!

Another plus built into this cam system is a comfortable let-down for those times you decide to hold off on your shot. This all translates into a pleasant shooting experience. Cams ride on steel axles and sealed inner-race bearings for smooth, reliable performance, minimum friction and increased efficiency. A total draw-length range is covered by two base cams and a series of interchangeable modules that do not require a bow press to switch out. Cam 1 covers from 24-26 1⁄2 inches and Cam 2 from 27-30 inches. System letoff is advertised at approximately 75 percent. Hoyt uses Fuse string and cables for the Charger.

Limbs, Layers and Alignment
The Charger is home to the ZRX Multi-Layer Lamination split limbs, which are contoured and pre-loaded using uniform stress distribution (USD) designed to eliminate potential failure areas. The past-parallel position of the limbs at full draw cause them to act in opposition to one another at the shot, significantly nullifying unused energy.

AlphaShox limb dampers are attached to each set of split limbs for even more vibration reduction. A set of Pro-Lock pivoting limb pockets provide a precise limb-to-riser interface with six, hard-locking contact points. Limb sets are vigorously tested, precisely matched based on deflection values for uniformity and are available in the following weights: 30-40, 40-50, 50-60, 55-65, 60-70 and 70-80 pounds.

Impressions
Even without considering the excellent price of the Charger, I would give it two thumbs up for all-around performance. Throw in the fact that it retails at only $599.99 and you have a bow that is off the charts in terms of value.

While there is a measure of vibration and a quick bump felt in the grip at the shot, a quality stabilizer almost eliminates the vibration altogether. Hoyt is known for its smooth-drawing bows, and the Charger keeps that tradition alive with its well-rounded transitions throughoutthe draw cycle. In testing, the Charger also proved to be pin-drop quiet.

Bow Reviews

Next Up: Best States for Crossbow Hunting

Hoyt is well-known for producing some of the world’s top bows year after year. Recent hits include the innovative Carbon line, Spyder Series, Vector, CRX, Maxxis and the one you still hear bowhunters talk about today, the AlphaMax.

What you may not know is that the same company with this impressive string of top-end stars also offers one of the best “bang for your buck” bows on the market—the Charger. Check out the full review.

On the equipment side, Elite introduces the 2013 Hunter bow. The Hunter Cam is the centerpiece in Elite’s drive for shootability, while the modules guarantee optimal performance at every draw length. Other highlights include Barnsdale limbs, Limbsaver damping accessories, Winner’s Choice strings/cables, Kolorfusion camo finishes, Cerakote performance coating and one of the best grips in the industry. Check out the full review.

Bear Archery enters 2013 with a laser-like focus on the success of your hunt. A statement on the Bear says it best: “We have a saying at Bear Archery: It’s not about the hype or high cost—it’s about the hunt. This defines the essence of our company, which grew out of the life and work of legendary sportsman Fred Bear.”

The company’s new Motive 6 bow is all about the hunt. The Motive 6 is loaded with many features, including the powerful H13 Synchronized Hybrid cams, Max Pre-Load Quad limbs, Dual Offset String Suppressors, 4×4 Roller Guard and Bear Logo Overmold grip. Check out the full review.

The Mathews McPherson Series line of bows is Matt McPherson’s playground in the two-cam market. He loves to create and improve current designs and brings his considerable engineering expertise to the table as his company pulls it all together for an impressive package in the Monster Chill. Check out the full review.

Hoyt Archery, one of the industry’s finest bow manufacturers, continues to push forward with new technologies and higher levels of performance. The new Spyder line was created by diehard bowhunters and designed with a clear purpose—getting the job done in the field. There are three bows in the line—Spyder 30, Spyder 34 and Spyder Turbo. Check out the full review.

Hoyt has been in the bow making game for a very long time, and the company remains focused on its customers, technology and integrity. Hoyt makes top-notch bows that meet advertised performance specifications, and the company’s people are some of the best in the industry. Hoyt came on strong again in 2012 with an impressive lineup, and the all-new Vector 32 is one of the shining stars.

If you have never had the privilege of touring the Mathews manufacturing facility in Sparta, Wisc., you can catch a glimpse of their world-class machinery and capabilities by watching the “Introducing the Mathews Creed” video found on the company website. Among other things, you will witness state-of-the-art CNC machining and futuristic robotics.

Mathews is focused on the enjoyment and overall experience an archer is afforded when shooting one of its bows. The flagship Creed was created with a synergistic approach, meaning they brought together all of the top technologies from previous models into mechanical and aesthetic harmony. The Creed is outfitted with the SimPlex Solocam, split parallel limbs, super lightweight GeoGrid Lock riser, and much more. Check out the full review.

Few bow manufacturers have wielded as much influence on the archery industry in recent years as BowTech. Driven by its “Refuse to Follow” motto, BowTech has built a strong following by taking bold design risks and developing a host of leading bow technologies.

For 2013, BowTech introduces the aptly named Experience, a bow designed to maximize the archer’s overall shooting experience, with a strong focus on accuracy. This rig features the new CarbonCore Limbs and Extinguish Dampening System, along with a host of proven technologies such as the OverDrive Binary Cam System, Center Pivot Extreme Riser, Two-Piece Wood Grip, FLX Guard Cable-Containment System and Octane factory string and cables. Check out the full review.

For 20 years, Mathews Inc. has been wowing the archery community with fantastic technologies, features and performance. The company has long been considered one of the world's top bow makers and has served the entire bowhunting community by pushing the envelope. There is no denying that founder Matt McPherson and his hard-working team are a special bunch. The proof can be found at the end of the manufacturing line year after year.

The 2012 Heli-m, like all Mathews bows, is home to an array of technologies and features. It all starts with a super lightweight GeoGrid Lock riser, which is home to the Reverse Assist Roller Guard, Harmonic Stabilizer Lite, Dead End String Stop Lite and the Rich Walnut SlimFit Inline grip. Also featured on the new rig are the company's SphereLock Pivoting Limb Cup System with Limb Turret, SE5 Composite Limb System and the Heli-m Cam. Check out the full review.